Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1887-02-24
FOX THE FARMERS BENEFIT.
Details Of the Seed Wheat bill
Which has Passed the
House.
TribllIle,


No. 147, to furnish seed to the farmers
who in 1886 lost their crops and who are
now unable to provide the same, is one Of
the most commendable acts of that body,
and measure that demands the immedl-
ate attention of the council and the exec
utive.
The appropriation of $3.50, 600 for relief,
seems at first glance to be an enormous
amount and one that is calculated to call
out many adverse criticisms. This was
the case in the house of representatives.
when the bill was introduced, and yet
after two weeks consideration and inves-
tigation the bill passed. They decided
that, considering the use that this amount
is to be put to, the vast area it must
cover, and the undeniable necessity forit,
fully justifes the expenditure, and that,
in order to grant the aid contemplated, it
should be passed speedily.
The language of the bill is iron clad''
and in no way liable to misrepresenta-
ton. The governor, three commission
ers and the commissioner of immigration
are to comprise the board. The three
commissioners are to be appointed by
the governor, by and with the advice and
consent of the council. They must each
give a bond of s10,CGG and take the same
oath as all territorial officers. This COM
mission is required to make all rules and
regulations for the expenditure OF this
appropriation and distribution of the as
sistance, subject to the provisions of the
bill. No money can be expended with
out voucher in detail is made showing
what is is for; said voucher to be ap-
proved by the governor and pass from
him to the auditor and to the treasurer.
All applications for assistance must be
made to the board Of county commission
ers Of the county in which the applicant
resides, who must also set forth his resi-
dence. his loss, his intention to seed and
his inability to buy the same; and the
county board shall forward the appEca-
tion to the territorial board of commits
sioners. who determine the merits Of the
case.
The amount of assistance is limited to
not more than enoogh to SOW forty acres,
thus giving the small farmers start; and
it is further provided that the amount of
assistance must in seasonable period be
paid back to the territory. What more
could be asked? Is this bill not well
guarded? II it is not strong enough,
make it so.
The S15O,O00 properly invested will buy
and distribute the seed for 5000 farms,
ranging from ten to forty acres each, pro-
viding 5000 farmers and their families
with employment during the year; and
make it possible for them to produce the
mainstays of life for 1887, and seed for
the year 1888.
The product from 5000 farms Of, say
twenty acres each, sown to wheat, oats,
corn, potatoes and garden vegetables, in
an average growing season, Will yield
from ], 100000 to 100000 bushels, which,
at fair valuation on low market, as
now, will amount to from $750,0OO to
$1,OOO,OOO. Add to this the farm labor
that will naturally follow from farmers
who are encouraged to ''stick to the
FARM" also, the renewal of courage and
confidence among new beginners. The
wisdom of the bill cannot be denied.
Take the measure as a whole. its purpose.
spirit and plan, it speaks we'll for the
house members. That their heads are
level and hearts with the needy and de-
serving of the territory.